Family Cultivation: My entire family are Villains-Chapter 89 - 075, Ding Sicheng Wants to Take My Life [5th Update]

Having met Ding Dian once, Hou Yuxiao had figured out two things.

The first was that Ding Dian truly had nothing bad to say about his disciple, Cheng Yue.

The second was that he had to deal with the trouble caused by Cheng Yue, even at the risk of offending Ding Dian, he had to confront this man.

After understanding these two things, Hou Yuxiao completely dismissed the idea of reconciling with Ding Dian, which is why, in the end, he feigned being forced to accept Cheng Yue's challenge.

What a fool Cheng Yue was, setting the date seven days later and, furthermore, announcing it throughout the county to engage in a truly fair duel.

If it were not for Hou Yuxiao's excellent acting skills, he almost couldn't help but laugh out loud just then.

"Indeed a disciple of the Holy Church, going to your death with such confidence is also your great fortune."

After leaving the Prison Admin Department, Hou Yuxiao walked all the way to the entrance of the Prefectural Magistrate's Office, his face losing all signs of panic, his pupils flashed with a cold light, revealing a sneer.

Although the Prefectural Magistrate's Office was next door to the Prison Admin Department, the main gate was five miles away, and as had been the case previously, Hou Yuxiao successfully followed the gatekeeper to meet Fan Longhe, the County Magistrate.

Just by appearance, Fan Longhe was more than a notch above Ding Dian, looking about forty-something, handsome, dressed in a magisterial yellow robe that commanded respect, and instantly likable at first glance.

"Marquis of Zhaoyang, Master Hou, Hou Yuxiao, greets the Lord of the County!"

Hou Yuxiao performed a very respectful junior's salute since the Lord of the County highly valued protocol, Hou Yuxiao naturally had to play his part well.

Sure enough, seeing this, a smile appeared on Fan Longhe's face. He nodded and teased, "What, did you come to me after hitting a wall with Ding Dian?"

"Deputy Magistrate Ding wants my life, Lord, save me!"

Hou Yuxiao cried out in anguish, dropping to his knees, he directly revealed his original intention to reconcile with Ding Dian before seeking him out.

Unexpectedly, he and his disciple had coerced him into signing a life-and-death agreement, forcing a duel with Cheng Yue in seven days, at which time he was to be killed.

Hou Yuxiao's tearful complaints startled Fan Longhe, who took the life-and-death agreement, his face revealing a strange expression.

"It's obvious this is to kill you. You dared to sign it?"

"Mr. Hou also didn't realize, those two, master and disciple, repeatedly said it was a fair duel and even promised me if I win, they would recommend the Hou Family for promotion into distinguished status, I was bewitched and signed the agreement. I beg the Lord of the County to save my life!"

......

"You indeed were bewitched. Among Ding Dian's three disciples, only Cheng Yue received his true transmission of Gang Qi, considered one of the top geniuses in the entire county. Do you think you can win?"

Upon hearing this, a flicker of cold light flashed deep within Hou Yuxiao's pupils; then, pretending to be startled, he weakly said, "Well... not to hide it from Lord Fan, I do have some confidence in defeating Cheng Yue..."

"Indeed, you have no assurance... wait ... what did you say?"

Fan Longhe suddenly realized Hou Yuxiao had said he was confident, quickly turning to look again, he confirmed once more.

"Defeating Cheng Yue... I do have some confidence..."

Fan Longhe quickly realized that when Hou Yuxiao just asked him to save his life, he didn't mean to cancel the duel. He stared at Hou Yuxiao for a long while before saying, "So, you are afraid that if you win, Ding Dian will be detrimental to you, hence you came to me for protection?"

Watching Hou Yuxiao nod, a subtle gleam flashed across Fan Longhe's eyes, his face revealing a thought-provoking smile.

"The Saintess had spoken in advance, I will definitely help you, but since you yourself signed the life-and-death agreement, that is your own business. However, about Ding Dian, rest assured, I guarantee the duel will absolutely be fair!"

After waiting for so long, Hou Yuxiao finally heard these words, heaved a huge sigh of relief, and stood up respectfully, "In that case, thank you, Lord of the County, for upholding justice. In seven days, I will trouble you to take the effort, I will take my leave now!"

Fan Longhe watched Hou Yuxiao directly taking his leave without making any effort to retain him, he nodded and softly said, "You can leave your petition and roster here first. After your victory, I will help you get Ding Dian's signature."

Hou Yuxiao quickly handed over both volumes to him, then turned and left.

Just after Hou Yuxiao left, a voice suddenly came from behind the curtain behind Fan Longhe, then slowly a figure in a white scholarly robe emerged, holding a paper fan, with a smile on his face, immeasurably graceful and elegant.

"It seems he was pretending, deliberately agreeing to Ding Dian and his disciple, calculated that you would support him, so he first went to probe Ding Dian's attitude, finding that he couldn't ease the relationship, he immediately came to find you!"

Fan Longhe nodded, turned to look at the man in the scholarly robe, shook his head, and said respectfully, "Does the official think he can deceive Ding Dian with his act?"

"Of course he can't fool him, but Ding Dian still played along. Hou Yuxiao is from the New Moon Department, it's now rumored within the sect that the Sect Hierarch intends for New Moon to overtake the Prison Admin Department, Ding Dian refraining from killing him outright is already the height of restraint. Letting a disciple fight him is within reason."

"It is indeed the Saintess with her venomous insight. Hou Yuxiao's intellect surpasses others, almost even fooling me. It seems he had already planned, using my protection, to fight a battle with Cheng Yue to legitimize himself and secure a foothold for the Hou Family within the county."

After saying this, Fan Longhe looked at the man in the scholarly robe, who chuckled lightly, "Official Peng has stayed in the prefectural city for so long, just to catch a glimpse of this Hou Yuxiao?"

The scholar in white shook his head and said, "How could that be? Although the Zhaoyang Disturbance was startling yet not perilous, we cannot let our guard down. The Saintess had previously mentioned that Xuzhou definitely had a contingency in place. My people still have not figured out what that contingency is, alas..."

After finishing his sentence, a look of worry crossed the man's face, clearly anxious about the contingency left in place by Xuzhou.

"The decisive battle is in seven days; I might as well have a look. Cheng Yue is considered a rare young talent in Xingnan Prefecture these years, and Hou Yuxiao has the confidence to defeat him. I want to see for myself what he is really made of."

"With the official watching the battle, it is their good fortune!"

.........

Read 𝓁atest chapters at fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm Only.

After meeting with the two individuals, it was almost night, and though intrigued by Shengxin Residence, Hou Yuxiao resisted the urge to visit and headed straight back to his own mansion.

Hou Yucheng and Hou Yuling were excitedly handling their weapons. Seeing Hou Yuxiao return, they proudly flaunted them to him.

"Did you purchase everything?"

Although what hung at Hou Yucheng's waist was still the same broadsword, four inches wide and four feet long, he nodded upon being asked by Hou Yuxiao.

"Willow Step Saber, ordinary precious grade, originally priced at 15,000 silver, but Boss Bai gave us a 10% discount, so it cost 13,500!"

Snap...

Hou Yuling dramatically swung the two-meter-long crimson whip in her hand, producing a pleasing cracking sound with three or four whip shadows, demonstrating its impressive might.

"Crimson Shadow Whip, also of ordinary precious grade, fewer people use whips, so this one only cost 11,000 silver. Boss Bai gave me a 10% discount too, so it was just 9,900."

After finishing, Hou Yuling picked up two long swords from the table.

"This brown one is called Swan Shadow; it's for the Fourth Elder. The white one, called Dragon Dust, is for the Old Fifth. Both swords are of the same grade as ours, costing a total of 23,600 silver, a bit more expensive than ours."

Hou Yuxiao nodded and instructed them to put the weapons away.

"Second Elder, Third Elder, notify Gao Hu, Su Li, and Hou Fei tomorrow. Have them distribute the two chests of gold bars, and within five days convert it all into silver, then bring it here to me!

Also, for the next five days, I will be in seclusion. Unless it's extremely urgent, do not disturb me. Once you have converted the gold, come find me!"

Startled by Hou Yuxiao's announcement of secluding himself for five days, both were taken aback and wanted to ask questions, but found that Hou Yuxiao had already walked into the inner courtyard and closed the door.

"Brother must have visited the Prefectural City Magistrate and the Prison Admin Department today, so why is he starting his seclusion immediately upon returning? Did something happen?"

Hou Yucheng was still a bit slow to react. There should have been endless matters to attend to these days at the prefectural city, yet Hou Yuxiao suddenly ordered a seclusion.

"If brother isn't saying anything, there must be a reason. Let's first convert the silver and dispose of all the spoils we brought, then in five days when brother leaves seclusion, he'll surely tell us!"

Despite their doubts, they chose not to disturb Hou Yuxiao and went back to their rooms to rest, planning to handle affairs at dawn.

.........

In the dead of night, Hou Yuxiao sat meditating alone in his room, the Ape Demon Staff propped up beside the bed. Continuously flowing Gang Qi circulated on his skin, clinging to the Ape Demon Staff, creating a somewhat sinister scene.

If an outsider were present, they might feel as though Hou Yuxiao and the staff were merging into one entity.

"During the skirmish at the city gate, Cheng Yue certainly didn't show his real strength, but neither did I. My cultivation is comparable to his; what matters is the martial arts competition!"

Feeling the multitude of new martial arts in his mind, Hou Yuxiao's pupils were filled with confidence, and then, flipping his hands, he took out five or six Minor Rejuvenation Pills, his face displaying a cold smile.

"That old man Ding Dian is a bit two-faced towards Sikong Yue. If the Holy Church isn't united as one, then there's a great chance Fan Longhe will protect me. Handling Cheng Yue would secure my promotion once and for all, but offending Ding Dian is inevitable!"

Thinking this, there was a hint of grimness in Hou Yuxiao's eyes. After all, Ding Dian held the title of the number one expert in the entire region. But not offending him was no longer an option. Considering Cheng Yue's relationship with Ding Dian, if he were allowed to remain, Ding Dian would inevitably turn against him sooner or later; better to strike first!

The key was Ding Dian gambling Hou Family's ascension on this, leaving him no choice but to accept Cheng Yue's challenge.

Now, his hope lay with Fan Longhe.

"To ensure my credentials with the Great Luo Sect, Bai Yunfan asked me to give him one hundred thousand silver. Spending this one hundred thousand silver should have some effect. Even if Ding Dian is the top expert, he can't just do whatever he wants in the prefecture.

If worse comes to worst, I can still bring out Sikong Yue to suppress him!"

Speaking of one hundred thousand silver, Hou Yuxiao felt a twinge of pain, but he thought the expenditure essential, which is why he immediately instructed the Second and Third Elders to convert the gold bars upon his return.

Only after organizing his thoughts thoroughly did Hou Yuxiao grab the Ape Demon Staff and walk into the yard, concentrating on preparing for the duel with Cheng Yue in seven days.